Suspected perioperative anaphylaxis: are we making the correct diagnosis?

We provide a commentary on aspects of a prospective study of the epidemiology of perioperative anaphylaxis in Japan (Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis [JESPA]). Accurate diagnosis of perioperative anaphylaxis is important for research but essential for clinical safety. We evaluate the diagnostic approach used in the JESPA study and caution against over-reliance on diagnostic tests that lack sensitivity and specificity when clinical data suggest an im-mediate perioperative hypersensitivity reaction is likely.

Automated summary

We evaluate the diagnostic approach used in the Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis (JESPA) and caution against over-reliance on less sensitive and specific diagnostic tests in cases where clinical data indicate a likely immediate perioperative hypersensitivity reaction.